These Shepherd courses are our primary offerings in the astronomical sciences.
GSCI 101: ASTRONOMY I
This is an introductory survey course in astronomy covering aspects of observational astronomy and the solar system. Historical developments, discoveries, and advances also will be discussed, compared, and contrasted.
Offered: Every Fall Semester (Core Curriculum)
GSCI 102: ASTRONOMY II
A descriptive course dealing with the physical nature of stars, galaxies, and the universe as seen through modern astronomy. The development of modern astronomical principles, as well as recent developments within the science, are also included.
Offered: Every Spring Semester (Core Curriculum)
GSCI 103H: HONORS PHYSICAL SCIENCE
Students will investigate aspects of the physical sciences that describe the behavior of objects in both terrestrial and astronomical settings. Topics including motion, energy, heat transfer, electricity and magnetism, optics, radiation and atomic theory, and relativity will be explored. The historical evolution of the scientific philosophy behind these ideas, as well as past and current application of these concepts to the largest and smallest scales of the universe, will be addressed.
Offered: As part of Honors Program
GSCI 302: GENERAL ASTRONOMY
This is a descriptive course dealing with the physical nature of the planets and stars as seen through modern astronomy. The history of astronomical observation and development of modern principles along with properties of electromagnetic radiation and gravitation are included in the course.
Offered: Every Even-year Spring Semester
GSCI 542: GENERAL ASTRONOMY
Fundamental principles and findings of the major branches of modern astronomy. Topics include comparative planetology, stellar formation and evolution, structure and evolution of galaxies, physical and observational cosmology.
Offered: As part of Graduate Studies